La La Land

La La Land is a film that released in 2016; it follows the lives of Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling). Both of them are dreamers who want something more out of their lives. When they find each other they embark on a journey of love that coasts through the Griffith Observatory past midnight and ends in a final flashback of what could have been and what will never be. Mia is an aspiring actress who works in the backlot of Warner Bros. when she gets swooned by the sounds of aspiring pianist Sebastian. After they see each other at a party, they get lost in one another’s voice in a song. The movie shows their summer love and how fast life hits them. It reaches a point where they have to start asking big picture questions and in the midst of the stress and pressure they let eachother go to live better lives. 5 years pass and Mia is the big actress she always dreamed being of while Sebastian is the jazz restaurant owner he always envisioned himself as. On Mia’s date night, her fiance stumbles into a jazz club called Seb’s. The inspiration for the name and logo came from Mia, so she entered the club with hesitance. As he couple sits down, Mia sees Sebastian step into stage. As Sebastian starts staring into the crowd, his eyes lock place with Mia’s almost instantly. All at once a new perception is added. As Sebastian starts talking, Mia and him take the audience back into a future that could have been theirs, if they chose each other instead of themselves. The film deals with selfishness in times when a person needs to be and how love can complicate that selfishness. The film also deals with dreaming big and never giving up.

La La Land still stands as one of my favorite films to date. Ryan and Emma are electric on the screen it is almost as of they were made to be romantic co-stars. Their acting intertwined with their wittiness and humor compliment one another so well. The story is so relevant to many young couples who crave a love so intense, but are still learning to love themselves. I resonated very heavily with this film because young love is something close to my heart. I think a lot of people in their twenties will identify with the film because 20’s are for the years where you are still searching for a passion and a life to call your own. La la land gives picturesque view of Los Angeles, while maintaining its’ bustle. Through bright colors that change through the seasons, the characters’ wardrobe enhanced the movie’s nostalgic factor. Even though La la land is set sometime in the present it still feels like a faint memory of yesteryear. I appreciated the inclusion of John Legend. John Legend plays a cool role in the film by offering Sebastian his first gig, but during this gig, Sebastian separates from Ally. I think that can translate to how couples feel during a moment when the choice is work or love. Overall, La la land stole my heart and many others’ hearts as well. I give the movie a 9/10. The message is on point, the acting is superb and the music makes the story feel so heartfelt. The city of stars shines on so many people and this film tells the world that there is room for more, despite the odds.

Autumn Skye D-Saldana | Writing ContributorB.A. | Communications | Cal State Univ – San MarcosAutumn is a fun loving girl who is currently working on a Communications BA and Women Studies minor at CSU – San Marcos. She loves singing, traveling and watching movies. She loves all things Disney and Marvel. She aspires to be an advocate for undocumented immigrants and hopes to create a more positive narrative for the Latinx community in her years to come. Autumn loves writing and hopes to share her thoughts with the world someday. Instagram @OhDearAutumn| View My Articles